CSR refers to a business practice that involves participating in initiatives that benefit society. In alignment with the Company’s Green Heart Factory policy, we carried out this year’s corporate social responsibility by planting trees and cleaning up a specified area, better known as gotong-royong.

On the bright Saturday morning of 15^th October 2016, a group of close to 120 participants gathered at Forest Reserve Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in Kepong. The participants were employees of DAMA and DRDM but family members of the employees also joined in the fun. We were also lucky enough to be graced by the presence of Mr. Fang Yuan, Regional General Manager of Asia Oceania Emerging District, among other members of Management.

The event, taking place as early as 8 am began with a briefing by Ms. Hazlin, the FRIM representative and a speech by Ms. Angeline Lee, Head of DAMA Group Human Resources. The group then was separated into two – one big group for tree planting and the other group for gotong-royong. 80 tree saplings were planted on that sunny day, all from 5 heavy hardwood species, namely Merbau, Chengal, Giam, Balau laut and Balau sengkawang air. Field 43 Bidara trail at Bukit Bujang FRIM bore witness of the momentous event. The other group also made a difference by cleaning up the camping area at Kem Perah. This involved raking of dead leaves, segregating pieces of wood, painting the campgrounds and weeding. To mark the occasion, a tree sapling fondly known as Dewa Mahkota was planted. Unlike the hardwood which is mainly used for construction due to its durability, this is a traditional herb that’s good for diabetes and gout.

Around midday, the group convened again and a cake-cutting ceremony for employees whose birthday is in the month of October was held. The event adjourned with the participants enjoying the birthday cake and FRIM’s facilities.

There is an ancient proverb that says, we are not inheriting the Earth from our ancestors, we are merely borrowing it from our children. It is hoped that what little we did on the day will blossom into lush trees to green our children’s Earth.